Birch Creek

Birch Creek WSR https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/alaska/birch-creek-wsr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch_Creek_(Yukon_River_tributary) Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River flows from the windswept ridges and alpine tundra of the Steese National Conservation Area into the broad expanse of the Yukon Flats in central Alaska. The river offers one-week float trips notable not only for scenery and remoteness but for convenience – floaters can access both ends of the ‘wild’ river segment from BLM recreation sites along the Steese Highway. Although visited primarily in summer, Birch Creek offers many winter activities for fans of primitive backcountry experiences. For a few days each February, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse attracts dog teams and mushers.

Recreation Birch Creek (Ikhèenjik River) is one of Alaska’s 25 wild and scenic rivers. The Bureau of Land Management administers Birch Creek to provide high-quality but undeveloped recreational opportunities, to protect water quality and archeological sites, and to preserve the character of the river. The Birch Creek drainage encompasses nearly 1.4 million acres or about 2,187 square miles. Birch Creek offers outstanding recreation opportunities for boaters experienced with raft, kayak, or canoe. It is one of very few clear water rivers in Alaska with road access at two locations on an otherwise undisturbed river segment. Float trips usually take at least 50 hours of actual water time to travel from Upper Birch Creek Wayside to Lower Birch Creek Wayside, a distance of 110 miles. One hundred twenty-six miles of Birch Creek have been designated wild under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The wild and scenic river corridor is closed to all-terrain vehicles during the summer season (May 1– Oct. 14). Many floaters make this trip over a 7- to 10day period, taking leisurely days to fish, hike, hunt, and enjoy the scenery. Maximum river flows usually occur in early May as a result of break-up or in late July or early August after summer rains. During June, water levels usually drop, resulting in shallows, exposed rocks and logs, sweepers, and rock gardens. The Bureau of Land Management encourages visitors to minimize their impacts on public lands by observing “Leave No Trace” principles. You can assure the enjoyment of other visitors to Birch Creek by doing the following: • If water levels allow, camp on gravel bars or durable upland surfaces. • • • • Leave campsites clean. Observe wildlife from a distance. Be considerate of other visitors. Bury human waste at least 200 feet from water; dispose of other waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Bureau of Land Management Fairbanks District Office 222 University Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3816 Local: 907-474-2200 Toll Free: 1-800-437-7021 www.blm.gov/alaska Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BLMAlaska Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/BLMAlaska BLMAK/GI-00/015+8354+020 REV 2020 Birch Creek (Ikhèenjik River) Wild and Scenic River Bluffs along Birch Creek are a great place to observe peregrine falcons and other raptors. For some people, Birch Creek represents an unforgettable float experience that offers not only quiet enjoyment of nature but also convenient road access at either end. For others the river provides entry to moose habitat during hunting season. And for still others, Birch Creek’s transition from a swift headwater stream to a broad, meandering river presents a special window into the “life stages” of an Interior Alaska waterway. Safety All visitors should carry U.S. Geological Survey 15-minute (1:63,360) topographic maps covering Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River. Be aware that the river has changed course in several locations since the last map updates. A georeferenced PDF map of the Steese National Conservation Area, including Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River, is available on the BLM website for download to tablets and smart phones. See the map for a link. Always file a trip plan with a friend. Write down where you are going, when you plan to return, a description of your vehicle, and your license plate number. River-water temperatures range from a high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to near-freezing in the fall. Even on a hot day, water temperatures are still cold. Be able to recognize and treat hypothermia. Drinking or cooking water from the river or side streams should be treated before use. Weather conditions can change rapidly at any time of the year. Thunderstorms upriver can cause water levels to rise rapidly downriver; secure your boat at night. This river can exert tremendous force during high-water events, and sweepers are an ever-present danger. Take survival gear and be prepared for the unexpected. In the winter, plan for high winds, deep snow, and extreme weather changes. Temperatures may be as much as 25 degrees colder than in Fairbanks. Overflow ice and open leads can create hazardous conditions. Summer temperatures can reach the 80s and occasionally the 90s, but daily variations can be extreme. Freezing temperatures have occurred in every month of the year. In Birch Creek’s upper reaches, floaters often alternate between dragging their boats through fast riffles and floating across small pools. As tributaries join Birch Creek, it changes from a headwater Class I creek to a larger river with stretches of Class II or Class III whitewater as classified by the International Scale of River Difficulty. Most rapids occur between Clums Fork and Wolf Creek. The lower segment slows and widens as the river starts to meander through the Yukon Flats. During winter Birch Creek offers experiences that can test a person’s skill, provide adventure, and reveal aspects of the river not seen by summ

T R E A D Tread Lightly Welcome ravel and recreate with minimum impact. Welcome to the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Alaska. The BLM manages more than 70 million acres of public land in Alaska. These lands are yours to enjoy and use for a variety of recreational opportunities. Your visit to BLM-managed public lands in Alaska will offer you a once in a lifetime experience. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, exploring the treeless tundra, or fishing in a freshwater stream, you’ll experience the open landscapes of BLM-managed public lands. Unless otherwise posted, all public lands are available for recreation use. However, please remember that BLM manages public lands for other uses, such as energy and mineral development, wildlife habitat, and conserving natural, cultural, and historic resources. This publication will give you a general idea of where recreation opportunities exist on public lands in Alaska. Please note the location of the BLM offices throughout the state. BLM staff are happy to assist you while you are enjoying Alaska’s public lands. espect the environment and the rights of others. ducate yourself, plan and prepare before you go. llow for future use of the outdoors by leaving it better than you found it. iscover the rewards of responsible recreation. https://treadlightly.org/ Leave No Trace We encourage visitors to adhere to the seven Leave No Trace principles on all BLM-managed public lands. • Plan Ahead and Prepare • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find • Minimize Campfire Impacts • Respect Wildlife • Be Considerate of Other Visitors Trail Etiquette Map Campground Name # of Sites # Season of Use Vault Toilet Water Fee 13 Arctic Circle 22 June - Sept. Y N Y* 32 Brushkana Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 25 Cripple Creek 21 June - Sept. Y Y Y 47 Eagle 16 June - Sept. Y N Y 16 Five Mile 8 June - Sept. Y Y Y** 4 Galbraith Lake 18 June - Sept. Y N Y** 8 Marion Creek 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 24 Mount Prindle 13 June - Sept. Y Y Y 22 Ophir Creek 19 June - Sept. Y Y Y 38 Paxson 50 June - Sept. Y Y Y 52 Salmon Lake 6 June - Sept. Y N N 39 Sourdough Creek 42 June - Sept. Y Y Y 36 Tangle Lakes 27 June - Sept. Y Y Y 45 Walker Fork 20 June - Sept. Y Y Y 42 West Fork 25 June - Sept. Y N Y Y = service available N = service not available * Beginning summer 2022 Windy Arch, near Windy Gap in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Safety Public Access BLM Alaska’s lands are vast and rugged. Remember to plan your trip accordingly by ensuring you have first aid supplies, emergency vehicle supplies, and adequate provisions before heading out. When planning a backcountry trip, always file a trip plan with a friend or family member and let them know when you plan to return. BLM Alaska managed public lands are intermingled with private, state, Tribal, and a variety of other jurisdictions. A visitor may legally access public lands via: • A public trail, road, or highway; • A navigable water; • From adjacent public or state lands that are from landowner; or via a valid 17b public easement. Information on 17b easements and maps can be found at https://www.blm.gov/ alaska/17b-easements; Trail Etiquette invasive species. • Slow down for curves and hills, when visibility is limited and when other users are present. • Keep noise and dust down. • Keep pets under control. Some trails require dogs to be leashed. Whether travelling far off the beaten path or along the road, thorough preparation is imperative for a successful trip. Alaska is bear country. Store your food and other scent attractants in an enclosed vehicle or bearproof food storage container, and never store your food in an occupied tent. When travelling in bear country, remember to make noise, travel in groups, carry bear spray, and keep your dog on a leash. • Be familiar with local rules. • Leave gates in the condition you found them. Rights of Way BLM visitors are responsible for knowing their location and applicable regulations. Appropriate public land users remain on legal routes, obey all signs, respect private property, and avoid resource damage. The best way to ensure a successful outing is to check with the nearest BLM office for up-to-date access information in your area. Your local BLM office can also supply you with recreation permits and information on specific recreation opportunities, such as camping, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, off-highway vehicle travel and snowmobiling. For more information, go to www.blm.gov/media/public-room/alaska. Also, be sure to check the State Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway Safety page https://dot.alaska.gov/highwaysafety before travelling. • Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind or traveling uphill. • Motorized vehicles yield to mountain bikes, runners, hikers